Program Overview

Psychology, BA

The Psychology, BA program at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the field of psychology. The program's mission is three-fold: to provide a basic education in psychology as a foundation for graduate work, to provide disciplinary knowledge that can be applied to related careers, and to contribute to the education of students majoring in other areas of study.

Program Description

The program offers a mix of face-to-face, blended, and online courses, allowing students to choose the format that best suits their needs. The online PSYO major provides all psychology requirements via the web, while the on-campus PSYC major offers a traditional classroom experience. Students enrolled in the online PSYO program will not be permitted to register for classes held in person.

Student Learning Outcomes

The program has three student learning outcomes:

• Knowledge Base of Psychology: Students will demonstrate understanding of the concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings in psychology.
• Research Methods in Psychology: Students will understand and apply research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology: Students will use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.

Program Requirements

To earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in psychology, students must complete the following requirements:

• Core Curriculum Program: 42 hours
• First-Year Seminars: 0-2 hours
• Psychology Major Requirements: 37 hours
• University Electives: 30-35 hours
• Foreign Language Requirements: 6 hours
• Total Credit Hours: 120-122

Psychology Major Requirements

The psychology major requirements include:

• PSYC 2301 General Psychology: 3 hours
• PSYC 3411 Experimental Psychology: 4 hours
• PSYC 4310 Psychology Capstone Seminar: 3 hours
• Block 1: Select two of the following courses:
  • PSYC 2314 Lifespan Developmental Psychology: 3 hours
  • PSYC 2319 Social Psychology: 3 hours
  • PSYC 3361 Psychology of Personality: 3 hours
  • PSYC 3363 Abnormal Psychology: 3 hours
• Block 2: Select two of the following courses:
  • PSYC 3342 Cognitive Psychology: 3 hours
  • PSYC 3343 Learning and Behavior: 3 hours
  • PSYC 4352 Physiological Psychology: 3 hours
  • PSYC 4354 Sensation and Perception: 3 hours
• Psychology Electives: Select five of the following courses or any other upper-division psychology course:
  • PSYC 2390 Topics in Psychology: 3 hours
  • PSYC 3325 Close Relationships: 3 hours
  • PSYC 3335 Forensic Psychology: 3 hours
  • PSYC 3346 Psychology of Language: 3 hours
  • PSYC 3350 Evolutionary Psychology: 3 hours
  • PSYC 3360 Health Psychology: 3 hours
  • PSYC 3370 Psychology of Religion: 3 hours
  • PSYC 3374 Human Sexuality: 3 hours
  • PSYC 3375 Introduction to Clinical Psychology: 3 hours
  • PSYC 4309 History and Systems of Psychology: 3 hours
  • PSYC 4332 Cross-cultural Psychology: 3 hours
  • PSYC 4344 Drug Use and Abuse: 3 hours
  • PSYC 4350 Positive Psychology: 3 hours
  • PSYC 4367 Gender Issues in Psychology: 3 hours
  • PSYC 4370 Feminism & Science: 3 hours
  • PSYC 4372 Psychological Testing: 3 hours
  • PSYC 4377 Industrial/Organizational Psychology: 3 hours
  • PSYC 4390 Topics in Psychology: 3 hours
  • PSYC 4395 Undergraduate Research: 3 hours
  • PSYC 4396 Directed Individual Study: 1-3 hours
  • PSYC 4398 Applied Experience: 3 hours

Course Sequencing

The program offers a suggested course sequencing plan to help students complete their degree in a timely manner. The plan includes:

• First Year: Fall - UNIV 1101, PSYC 2301, ENGL 1301, HIST 1301, Creative Arts Core Requirement; Spring - UNIV 1102, SOCI 1301 or ECON 1301 or ECON 2301 or ECON 2302, ENGL 1302 or COMM 1311, HIST 1302, MATH 1442
• Second Year: Fall - Language, Philosophy & Culture Core Requirement, Foreign Language I, POLS 2305, Life & Physical Science Core Requirement; Spring - POLS 2306, Life & Physical Science Core Requirement, Foreign Language II, Block 1 course
• Third Year: Fall - PSYC 3411, Block 1 course, Upper Division Elective, Upper Division Elective, PSYC Elective I; Spring - Block 2 course, PSYC Upper Division Elective II, Upper Division Elective, Upper Division Elective, Upper Division Elective
• Fourth Year: Fall - Block 2 course, PSYC Elective III, Upper Division Elective, Upper Division Elective, Upper Division Elective; Spring - PSYC 4310, PSYC Elective IV, PSYC Elective V, Upper Division Elective, Upper Division Elective